Second Woman Testifies Against Son of Norway’s Crown Princess in Rape Trial

A second woman has testified in an Oslo court, accusing Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, of raping her while she slept, describing the experience as her “worst nightmare.”

Hoiby, 29, is currently on trial facing 38 charges, including the alleged rape of four women and multiple assault claims involving former partners. He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious accusations and could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.

Testifying on Tuesday, the woman told the court that the alleged rape occurred on October 8, 2023, after an after-party in an apartment in Norway’s Lofoten Islands, where Hoiby and his stepfather were visiting during a surfing trip. She said that after consensual sex, she later woke up to find Hoiby engaging in sexual activity with her again without her consent.

“I woke up when he was already underway,” she said, adding that she felt detached from her body and in pain, stating that her body “wasn’t ready for it.”

Prosecutors presented a short video allegedly recorded by Hoiby on his phone, which police later recovered, claiming it showed the woman asleep during the incident. Data from her fitness watch was also submitted as evidence, with the prosecution arguing that changes in her heart rate indicated she was asleep at the time.

The woman also told the court that the video was recorded without her knowledge, a matter for which Hoiby is facing additional charges.

Last week, another woman testified that Hoiby raped her at a separate after-party in December 2018 in the basement of the royal family’s estate outside Oslo.

Hoiby’s defense team has denied all rape allegations, describing the encounters as consensual. However, just days before the trial, he was arrested on fresh charges relating to alleged assault, knife threats, and violation of a restraining order.

The case has caused significant public embarrassment for Norway’s royal family. Crown Prince Haakon has stated that neither he nor Crown Princess Mette-Marit would attend the trial, stressing that Hoiby has no official royal role and is legally an ordinary citizen, subject to the same rights and responsibilities as any other Norwegian.